TRIPLE CONN COMPARISON! Putting the Conn 88HO, 88HTO and 88HNV trombones to the test!

One of the things we talk about in the Trombone Shop is what a difference bell design makes in trombone construction, whether material, gauge or how it's built. I realized that we had three different Conn bell configurations in the shop at the moment, the standard 88HO, the 88HTO with thin gauge rose brass and the 88HNV with Conn's vintage handworking and weight distribution, and thought it would be a great opportunity to put them side by side and see what differences might develop. It's amazing how subtle (or not so subtle) the differences were in their sound and response to me; take a listen and let us know what you think!
Find out more about these trombones at shop.schmittmusic.com/brass/t... and
shop.schmittmusic.com/conn-88...

[@thomasherrera6587]

Terrific review Keith! With much of the attention these days focused on the newer boutique trombones out there, we tend to lose sight of the fact that the 88H was the standard bearer along with the Bach 42B for such a long time, and that Conn is continuing to evolve newer instruments. I have recently purchased an 88HY with removable leadpipes and a dual bore slide. It's a marvelous instrument.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching! To Conn-Selmers credit they realized that they had been treating the 88H line as a bit of a second class citizen compared to Bach and have taken some real steps to improve quality, consistency and of course product development!

[@thomasherrera6587]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop I believe you are quite right. I played on some 88H’s in the mid 90’s and wasn’t that impressed. They just weren’t very responsive for me. The newer Conns I’ve tried are so much better.

[@terryturner261]

Really enjoyed your playing on all three horns and really loved your selection of music you played very well in your demonstration. Thank you for your detailed analysis

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@trevorspaulding376]

That hnv has a great character to the sound ! Aldo like the lighter bell for certain works like the first piece you played on it

[@T-Slider]

Keith, great review as always! To my ears, with 67 years of playing in the rearview mirror, the NV matches best with your playing. It is as though ALL the playing characteristics of the NV are in-sync with you. This means you are playing this instrument from its sweet-spot. Playing from that position gives you total performance control, no matter the literature. The smoothness and easy centeredness of your sound with the NV was on full display! Superb!

[@Ffhjle]

Completely agree! The NV is a great match for you. Thanks Keith for another outstanding video with great playing as always.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

The HNV sounds more alive.

[@billpalmer4152]

Great comparison! Thanks

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@raymondfallon7429]

Sorry - I forgot to say "great review, as always " like my fellow commenters. This may sound stupid, but I preferred the NV on everything until the Wagner. which sounded like it rang a little less easily at ff. Huh. Listening to your critique it sounds like I'm wrong. Have to listen again I guess. Still like the Alessi sound best.

[@degelepassant1186]

Great music as usual, and thnks so much for this review Keith ! I have an Abilene Artist Symphony 88H bell and a modern 88HTO bell. I can completely relate to what you said, Keith, if I replace your 88HNV for my Abilene bell : same conclusions all the way ! I much more enjoy playing my Abilene bell than the 88HTO ! (paired with a modern SL4747 slide)

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The Abilene horns don’t get as much love as I think they deserve; I have had a number of them come through the shop that I thought were great playing!

[@robertmarsh3588]

Excellent video. Have several 88s and would love to try that HNV as looking for a bit more volume and deeper sound. Sadly they're not available in the UK yet.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Your description of the HNV very much matches with my continuing experiences with it! Sorry to hear that it hasn't made it's way to the UK yet; I know that it is not exactly a trial opportunity but we do ship instruments to the UK (and I actually have two of the HNV's in the shop at the moment)...

[@popinmid]

As always, nice playing, Boss! Your playing style really melds well with the 88H family. The Conn horns’ slotting seem to be just what YOU are familiar with, and it really comes out in your interval playing. Kudos! You seem much more at home with the Conn sound than with, say, the XO. I’ve been a Bach guy since my first 42B in 1973. My son, though, sounded better on the Conn 88H Christian Lindbergh model we got him in 2004. My hands are larger than the Conn slide and trigger geometry allow, but I do like its sound. Any of these bells sound good, but it’s the slotting that clinches it for me. Conn is still relevant!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching! I do agree on the Conn relevance! Interestingly my workhorse large bore tenor is a late-80’s 42 but mostly because it lets me maintain a broader airflow; if I can get the Bach to work it tends to be easier to dial my air back to match other setups…

[@aasavickas]

You sound great on that 88HNV. They all sound good but that one sounds great considering the context of a microphone and laptop speaker. Who knows in the room.

[@kevinkeys3578]

At 62, I adore and play the 88H my mom bought for me when I was 14! The serial number indicates a 1972 manufacture date. She has a few minor dings on the tuning slides and the inner slide fork could use some love (the upper end of the lower sock has a very small rub away in the chrome) . . . any ideas on a trusted repair shop?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

As it happens, we actually are partnering with a specialist brass technician here in the Twin Cities for high-end restorations, custom work and overall first-class repair work! We have already had some conversations with folks interested in sending horns/slides/etc. in for work; if you would like to chat further shoot me an email at [e-mail]…

[@soundman447]

Would love to see how these compare to a real vintage 88H that said I would love to see a modern 79H.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The closest modern equivalent to the 79H might the the 52H, although this is really designed as more of an intermediate instrument. I haven’t had a chance to try this combination but I wonder if an 88H bell with one of their .525” handslides might get close…

[@YTYT-cm5dk]

Hey Keith, quick question. I'm noticing that the Conn 88HO that I had for more than 7 years is starting to turn green. It is laqured. I don't see this occur on my other yamaha. Do you know what's going on? Is it the copper that is beginning to oxidize?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

It sounds like it could be oxidation; where specifically is this happening on your horn?

[@chrismarbrey9678]

I couldn't tell a big difference. I imagine that I would do better with the 88HTO

[@raymondfallon7429]

I know you never will rate horns by specifically saying A is better than C (for instance) but I'd be interested in your evaluation of how these horns compare to the Alessi horn you sounded so good on last summer (or was it the summer before - curse this pandemic and old age).

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

To me the 88HNV had the closest combination of response, color and stability to the Alessi (and at $2500 less.). With that said there is a certain something about the Alessi that continues to grab my attention ;)

[@victortorresosorio33]

Me pueden dar información del trombón tenor CONN 88HNV, precio, envío a Veracruz, México, 🇲🇽. Gracias

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The 88HNV has become a favorite in the Trombone Shop, offering much of the ease of playing and clarity in response with a sound that has more core, weight and projection then the standard 88H. The pricing on the 88HNV is $3575.00 USD and shipping to Veracruz would be around $250.00 USD. If you are interested in more information please feel free to reach out to us directly at [e-mail] :)

[@jayrking3b90]

Keith what do you say about conn 88hnv this is a great horn for or not?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The 88HNV is one of my favorites! In trying to look back, I think Conn actually did a great job of modernizing the 88H, giving it a different openness, complexity of sound, and weight in its response That more players now seem to be looking for. Combined with the fact that it is very similar in price to the classic 88H I think it outplays its price And is a true professional level instrument.

[@jayrking3b90]

thank you Keith how to buy or order your trombone i am from the Philippines